Statistics on reimbursement entitlements in respect of medicines (OFS)
The statistics on reimbursement entitlements in respect of medicines are based on the National Health Insurance reimbursement system for medicine expenses.
The statistics cover data on the number of
- existing entitlements to special and limited rates of reimbursement during the year and at year-end
- new entitlements granted
- entitlements ended on account of death.
Latest release
16 June 2026
Medicine sales amounted to a total of EUR 4.2 billion in 2025, which marks an increase of 4%, or EUR 165 million, from the previous year. Sales of prescription medicines in outpatient care amounted to EUR 2,924 million (an increase of 6%), sales of over-the-counter medicines to EUR 402 million (an increase of 1%), and wholesale sales to hospitals and other institutions to EUR 873 million (a decrease of 1%). Semaglutide, a medicine used to treat diabetes and obesity, remains the best-selling medicinal product when measured in euros.
In 2025, customers purchased reimbursable medicines for a total amount of EUR 2.74 billion. Kela paid out a total of EUR 1.98 billion in medicine cost reimbursements. This translates into an increase of 4% (EUR 78 million) on the previous year.
Reimbursements for medicine costs were paid to approximately 3 million recipients, which amounts to 54% of the total population of Finland. The number of people who received reimbursements decreased by 4%, i.e. by approximately 131,000 individuals.
Finnish statistics on medicines 2025 (julkari.fi)
News: Pharmaceutical sales increase by EUR 165 million in 2025 – growth due to new medicines and new uses
Statistical publications
Statistical Database Kelasto
Click the link to generate a dynamic and editable report from the database.
How to work with reports in Kelasto.
- Existing, new and withdrawn entitlements to reimbursement of drug expenses 2019–
- Existing, new and withdrawn entitlements to reimbursement of drug expenses 1986–2018
Open data
Additional information
Contact information
Otto Kontio
Lauri Manninen
tilastot@kela.fi
